Ron Schenone

Google Chrome Cr48 – One Month Review

Posted by on Jan 21, 2011 | 9 Comments

Yesterday the calendar on my phone reminded me that it was time for a one month review of the Google Chrome Cr-48 notebook. It was hard to believe that it has been a month since I received the little computer. What is ironic is that last week I read a blog post at one of the major news outlets in N.Y. referencing the Cr-48 and it was boring. Boring because the blog post rehashed everything that has already been said about the Google computer.

I have also noticed that since Google sent out the Cr-48 in mid December, the article have just about stopped. Why is that? I think it might be because that after all of the hoopla, there is little to mention. But I have something to report in that I had a unusual experience getting connected to the Verizon network. I originally tried to do the online activation of Verizon three-times in a row and was left with a ‘partially activated’ error message. I contacted Verizon technical support and they were unable to figure out what the problem was.

Before I go on with my tale of woe, let me say kudos to the folks at Verizon. I was impressed with not only their ability but also calling me back with other suggestions. We all finally agreed that this was a situation in which I needed to contact Google for support. I went onto the site for customer support for the Google Chrome Cr-48 notebook, and left a date and time that I would be available for contact via phone.

A the prescribed date and time I received a call from technical support at Google who referred to themselves as ‘ninjas’. After about 10 minutes of analyzing the computer, my Ninja helper named Micheal, stated he would call Verizon and get back to me in about 5 to 10 minutes. Sure enough Michael called back and we completed a series of commands which successfully activated the Verizon 3G network on the computer.

FWIW. I am not sure if I mentioned this or not, but Google provides 100MB of data for free from Verizon for two years.

I am setting my calendar reminder for 6 months from today, for another review. If anything earth shattering before that date, I’ll do an update. But as of now, there is little to report.

I personally believe this is a good thing since the midget computer just works. :-)

Comments welcome.

PS If you are using a Google Chrome Cr-48 please share your experience with us.

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  • Dick

    Good for you Ron. That’s honest beta testing. That’s the kind of thing they are looking for. Kudos for taking the time and trouble to work through it.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Thanks Dick.

  • leftystrat

    After seeing what their browser PLUGINS want in terms of your data, I’d be terrified to see what the OS eats.

    Good luck just the same.

  • http://ayumiin.blogspot.com Andi

    I’ve had mine since the first day people began receiving them and I prefer leaps and bounds over my netbook. I don’t even have it turned on anymore. But yeah, I think all the buzz has stopped because there’s really nothing terribly special about it and it works which is a really good thing. Plus, Google hasn’t given many updates so it’s not like there’s a million changes or improvements that should be coming more rapidly. That’s one thing that I wish the program had, but we’re probably in it for the long haul.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hi Andi.
      Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
      It is appreciated.
      Regards, Ron

  • Jacob Uribe

    I’ve had my CR-48 since Dec 30, and it really has replaced my full blown desktop replacement laptop….. I live on the ‘net and on Google Reader, Gmail and Chrome; so this was pretty obvious…..

    I bought the 1GB plan about 3 days after getting this, once my 100MB free package ran out…. i use that at work and other such places that don’t have WiFi (at least not accessible by me)…..

    I have rarely encountered serious issues…. just a few network connections and Google Talk issues…. but usually a quick (and I mean quick) reboot would fix them; after sending a Bug Report……

    All in all, I think that this first foray was a successful attempt, especially for a beta trail…. I eagerly await a slightly more powerful version, if only to be able to be up to the same speed as my actual laptop

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hello Jacob,
      I agree. For a beta unit it is very good. 100MB doesn’t go very far does it? :-)
      I am fortunate since most places I take the Cr-48 is a hot-spot.
      I also have not encountered any serious issues either and as you stated,
      a reboot usually fixes the minor ones that do occasionally crop up.

      Thanks for stopping by, Ron

  • http://www.lucidchart.com Dave

    Ron, appreciated the review. I actually just received my Cr-48 today so we’ll see how it goes. Also wanted to let you know that if you readers are still looking to get one, LucidChart just announced a partnership with Google to give away 100 Cr-48s.

    http://www.lucidchart.com/pages/chrome_notebook